Adolescence on the age ruler

The idea

Adolescence is the stage of rapid growth and development between childhood and adulthood, from around 10 up to 19 years of age, marked by physical, emotional and behavioural changes.

Taller, and a new voice

In the summer vacation Venkatesh visits his grandparents. His 12-year-old cousin Devyani runs to greet him. "You have become so tall! Your voice has also changed!"

Devyani is 12. Which stage of life is she in?

• Still a young child
• Between childhood and adulthood
• An adult

The age ruler

Drag the marker along the ruler, or press the year buttons. Every age you stand on is coloured by its stage.

Adolescence

Adolescence is the stage of rapid growth and development between childhood and adulthood, from around 10 up to 19 years of age. It is marked by physical, emotional and behavioural changes.

During adolescence the body prepares for adulthood. Devyani, at 12, is in this stage.

• Age | Stage | What happens
• before about 10 | Childhood | mostly height and weight change
• around 10 up to 19 | Adolescence | rapid growth and development
• after 19 | Adulthood | the adult body

Notes

Adolescence is the stage of rapid growth and development between childhood and adulthood, from around 10 up to 19 years of age, marked by physical, emotional and behavioural changes.

Check yourself

Between which two stages does adolescence come?

Adolescence lasts from around 10 years of age up to how many years of age?

Answer: 19

Up to 19 years. So adolescence runs from around 10 up to 19.

Devyani is 12, has grown taller and her voice has changed. Which stage is she in?

Which kinds of changes mark adolescence?

• Infancy and early childhood. Those two stages come much earlier in life.
• Childhood and adulthood — correct. Yes! It is the stage between the two.
• Adulthood and the old age stage. Those two come after adolescence.
• Childhood. At around 10 and later, the changes of adolescence begin.
• Adulthood, the grown-up stage. Adulthood comes after adolescence, which lasts up to 19.
• Adolescence — correct. Yes! At 12 she is inside the 10 to 19 band.
• Physical, emotional and behavioural changes — correct. Yes! The body, the feelings and the behaviour all change.
• Only changes in height and weight, nothing else. Height and weight change, but so do feelings and behaviour.
• Only changes in feelings, nothing in the body. The body changes too, and rapidly.